KATHMANDU: While the government has displayed diligence in rescuing earthquake victims, the slow progress in reconstruction and the construction of temporary housing is taking a toll on the affected populace.
Victims in Jajarkot and Rukum West are grappling with the repercussions of the government’s working style.
Almost a month after the earthquake, accurate data on the affected people is yet to be collected.
Millions of citizens displaced by the earthquake on November 3, which claimed 157 lives, find themselves living under tents due to the government’s sluggish rehabilitation efforts.
As winter sets in, their daily lives are becoming increasingly difficult, with some survivors succumbing to the cold.
As many as 14 people have lost their lives due to the cold in Jajarkot and Rukum West, with a majority being children and the disabled.
For those who have already lost family and friends in the earthquake, news of further deaths due to the cold is unbearable.
Locals point to the rising death toll, attributing it to the harsh cold, prolonged tent living, and an inadequate food supply.
The physical toll on earthquake survivors in Jajarkot is dire, particularly for children, pregnant women, and the disabled, who are more vulnerable to extended tent living.
The earthquake-affected physical mall in Jajarkot highlights the escalating cold, stating, “The cold is increasing daily, and snowfall may commence in a few days.”
After snowfall, the situation in the earthquake-affected areas could become unimaginable.
Seven districts in the Karnali province suffered earthquake damage, with municipalities and districts collecting damage details through ward-level assessments.
To prevent this, the government must swiftly construct temporary housing, relocate victims to safer locations, and initiate reconstruction, victims said.
Despite the government’s allocation of 1.41 billion rupees for temporary housing, complaints arise as the funds have yet to reach the hands of the victims even after 10 days.
The delay further exacerbates the challenges faced by those already grappling with the aftermath of the earthquake.
According to preliminary data, 90,000 people in Jajarkot are homeless due to the earthquake, with over 34,600 houses damaged and 9,600 completely destroyed.
The quake has forced 900 pregnant women, 1,100 new mothers, 1,000 chronically ill individuals, over 500 disabled citizens, and more than 10,000 children to live under tents, putting them at high risk of cold exposure.
In Rukum West, over 27,000 houses have suffered earthquake damage.
Journalist Laxman KC of Jajarkot reports that temporary housing construction is progressing more rapidly in Rukum West compared to Jajarkot.
The government has sent the first installment of funds to 63 families in Triveni Rural Municipality, with Rs. 25,000 for initial support and an additional Rs. 25,000 upon completion of temporary housing construction.
The government has entrusted local authorities with the task of collecting funds for earthquake victims.
However, the local level has faced prolonged challenges in completing tax collection tasks, delaying essential financial aid. Locals in Jajarkot report that the preliminary data collection by the local level remains incomplete.
Chandra Gharti, Chief of Bheri Municipality in Jajarkot, acknowledges the delay, attributing it to issues arising from federal government procedures.
Gharti states, “The federal government’s two amendments to the procedure created difficulties in data collection.”
Speaking to Khabarhub, Gharti explains that the authenticity of the collected data could not be confirmed due to the federal government’s revisions to the procedures established by local and state governments for beneficiary identification.
Data collection efforts persist across all local levels in Jajarkot.
The funds for temporary housing construction will only be disbursed to the municipality’s account after the local level completes data collection and submits it to the district disaster management office.
The money will then be transferred to the victim’s account once the municipality forwards it to the respective ward.
In contrast to Jajarkot, data collection and temporary housing construction have gained momentum in Rukum West, reports Mahendra KC, head of Musikot municipality.
The municipality has successfully collected data and forwarded the amount for the first installment of temporary housing, set to reach victims’ accounts in a couple of days.
Seven districts in the Karnali province suffered earthquake damage, with municipalities and districts collecting damage details through ward-level assessments.
The Ministry of Social Development in the province is overseeing this process, yet accurate victim statistics remain elusive.
Despite inquiries, the Ministry of Social Development of Karnali Province offers no satisfactory explanation for the data collection delay.
According to Balbir Sunar, the ministry’s focal person, they are coordinating with local and district disaster offices, and final statistics will be available in a few more days.
Political Party Workers Shift Focus to Temporary Housing Competition
Post-earthquake, political party activists engaged in relief efforts are now contributing to temporary housing construction.
Major parties like Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and Maoist Center have deployed their workers as volunteers in Rukum West and Jajarkot.
Nepali Congress aims to build 1,000 temporary houses, while UML has mobilized 700 workers for a 15-day stint in affected areas.
Maoist Center workers are also actively involved in constructing temporary shelters.
Dip Bahadur Gharti, a local, notes that political parties prioritize extremely poor families.
UML’s Kiran Poudel, central member and head of the disaster management department, leads 1,100 volunteers in Jajarkot and Rukum West.
Nepali Congress leader Pradeep Paudel oversees three groups, comprising leaders and workers from various organizations like the Nepal Students’ Union and Tarun Dal.
MP Nisha Dangi, also the head of RSP’s physical infrastructure department, notes the construction of temporary housing in Athabis Municipality and specific wards of Sanoberi Rural Municipality, spearheaded by Engineer Man Bahadur Shahi’s team.
Daman Shahi, spokesperson of the Congress State Committee, notes that a schedule is in the works to deploy teams, each led by 14 central members, to specific locations.
Kali Bahadur Malla, a member of the standing committee, highlights that the Maoist Center’s state committee has deployed 3,100 volunteers, drawing members from Jajarkot, Rukum West, and other districts.
Under the leadership of Pancha Singh, President of ANNFSU (Revolutionary), a student organization affiliated with the Maoist Center, a group of 200 volunteers has been actively supporting affected areas since last Thursday.
Maoist leader Maya Prasad Sharma mentions that 100 to 200 leaders and workers are engaged in reconstruction in each ward.
Various organizations, including ANNFSU and Yuwa Sangh, have also deployed teams in affected areas.
RSP, meanwhile, reports the completion of 10 out of 17 temporary shelters, with the remainder nearing completion.
MP Nisha Dangi, also the head of RSP’s physical infrastructure department, notes the construction of temporary housing in Athabis Municipality and specific wards of Sanoberi Rural Municipality, spearheaded by Engineer Man Bahadur Shahi’s team.
Maoist Center asserts that district and provincial resources are fully engaged in restoration efforts.
Energy Minister Shakti Basnet is active in Jajarkot, while Janardan Sharma oversees the party’s district committee volunteers in Rukum West.
Despite progress, volunteers and leaders acknowledge delays in temporary housing construction.
Concerns heighten as the victims fear the increasing cold could prove fatal if they aren’t moved to temporary housing by November.
Victims express dissatisfaction with the government’s perceived inattention to temporary housing construction.
Ganesh Prasad Singh, a central member of Maoist Centre, insists on completing temporary housing by mid-December, citing shortages of construction materials, including tin, in earthquake-affected districts.
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